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Tag Archives Soil science

Smoke hangs over a pasture in a dry year. Maintaining perennial systems is critical to avoiding more carbon losses to the atmosphere, says Denis Angers.
Crops, Features, Forages

Perennial forage systems offer environmental, production benefits

More research is needed to better understand the effects of specific management practices in forage production under Canadian conditions

By
By optimizing the amount of carbon returned to the soil, forage production can play a major role in carbon sequestration while improving soil quality. Not only does this benefit yield, it has environmental advantages. “Soils contain two to three times more carbon than the vegetation or atmosphere, and that’s why we talk about soil carbon […] Read more
Angela Bedard-Haughn, shown here delivering a TEDx Talk in Saskatoon in September 2019, becomes the University of Saskatchewan’s new dean of agriculture in August. (Video screengrab from Ted.com)
General

New dean of agriculture named for U of S

Soil science prof Angela Bedard-Haughn takes over Aug. 15

By ,
One of Western Canada’s major post-secondary ag institutions will get a new hand at the wheel this summer. The University of Saskatchewan announced Wednesday it has named soil science professor Angela Bedard-Haughn as the dean for its College of Agriculture and Bioresources for a five-year term starting Aug. 15. Raised on a family farm in […] Read more
rain-bubbles-cropland
Features, Livestock

Water is our most important nutrient

From the Ground Up with Steve Kenyon

By
Is it just me or has anyone else noticed the increased flooding around the globe? Am I the only one who notices the increasing number of droughts? My local area, according to government data, has had seven droughts in the last 11 years. We also had people kayaking in the grocery store parking lot a […] Read more
A teaspoon of productive soil generally contains anywhere from 100 million to one billion bacteria, says Dr. Elaine Ingham, microbiologist and founder of Soil Food Web Inc.
Crops, Features, Forages

Building healthy soil for forages

Research group targets five basic principles to improve soil health

By
Feed the soil and everything gets better, says Brian Harper, Manitoba beef producer and 2018 Environmental Stewardship Award (TESA) winner. Harper’s focus has moved from the livestock, down to the plants and now to the soil and the below-ground activity. “I have realized the cattle are just a tool.” Many ranchers are starting to acknowledge […] Read more
A file photo showing different seeding rates of Saltlander compared to plots containing foxtail barley
Features, Forages, News

Saline-tolerant AC Saltlander under the microscope

New research shows 
forage's potential cost benefit 


By
It takes a good deal of time to develop a new forage variety and determine the best way to manage it but in the case of AC Saltlander green wheatgrass the timing couldn’t be better for Prairie producers growing anxious about future droughts. AC Saltlander is a perennial green wheatgrass with a high tolerance for […] Read more
I like to see mushrooms in my pastures as that is a sign to me that my mycorrhiza is also functioning. 
Crops, Features

Dealing with the mob

Grazing with Steve Kenyon

By
A healthy soil is an incredibly complex ecosystem that we know very little about. There are millions and millions of interactions that occur within our soils. It is more complex and busier than a bookie in Vegas on fight night. I call this My Secret Underground Black Market and it is controlled by the plants. […] Read more
cattle on pasture
Comment/Columns, Livestock

Be a soil farmer

By
When I first started farming, I bought some cows. I was a cattle farmer. I eventually figured out that if I could take good care of the grass, it would take care of the cattle. When I determined the cattle were simply a tool to manage the grass, I became a grass farmer. A few […] Read more
VIDEO: Down to earth jewelry made in Manitoba
News

VIDEO: Down to earth jewelry made in Manitoba

Provincial soil turned trinkets travel the world

By
Manitoba Soil Sciences Society members have been using Newdale Clay Loam to make a series of pendants/keychains, bracelets, earrings and rings since Manitoba proclaimed it the provincial soil in 2010. MSSS members Marla Riekman and John Heard explain how the idea originated, how the jewelry is made, and the intent behind the ongoing initiative. All […] Read more

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